MARKS and Spencer has announced it is closing 27 of its stores across the UK - but its East Lancashire branches are safe.

The high street giant is closing 25 of its smaller Simply Food stores, mainly in the South East and Midlands, as well as two main branches in Croydon and Woking.

M&S stores in Blackburn, Burnley and Accrington are safe, but workers will be hit by proposed changes to the company's final salary pension scheme.

Cutbacks across the company will result in the loss of more than 1,200 jobs.

Executive chairman Sir Stuart Rose said: "We are aware that the proposed changes set out above will be difficult for those members of staff impacted, but, given that we expect challenging economic conditions to continue for at least the next 12 months, we believe we are taking the right action to maintain the strength of our business."

The cuts came as M&S said UK like-for-like food sales fell 5.2% over the period, while general merchandise - which includes clothing - was down 8.9%.

Paul Kenny, general secretary of the GMB, said the announcement proved that union member Tony Goode, dismissed last year after revealing plans to cut redundancy pay, had been telling the truth.

"M&S have been planning this mass sacking for some time and managers have in many cases selected who is going. This is against the law and ignores the employment rights of their staff.

"M&S must now enter into 90-day consultation with their employees before selecting those to be made redundant.

"They must make the business case for the closures and the cull in stores and at head office.

"M&S employees selected for redundancy before the end of the consultation period will have an automatic case for unfair selection for redundancy at an employment tribunal.

"GMB will urge all M&S workers so selected to contact the union so that we can enforce their rights to fair selection and 90 days' genuine consultation."